[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 26279-26280]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           TAIWAN PLANE SALES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT GARRETT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2007

  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, despite recent aggressive 
behavior from China, Taiwan's democracy has continued to grow and 
flourish. I am pleased that this House can come together today in 
support of Taiwan.

[[Page 26280]]

  China's industrial buildup in the last decade has been unprecedented. 
While Chinese citizens have been taking advantage of their increased 
economic freedom, the Chinese government has been using this economic 
growth to build up their military and position new and dangerous 
weapons along the Taiwan Strait.
  The Taiwanese request to purchase 66 F-16 fighter planes will assist 
them in countering the growing threat of Chinese militarism. These 
weapons will allow the Taiwanese to balance the threat of hundreds of 
Chinese fighters and bombers that are stationed just on the other side 
of the Strait.
  We have always stood by our friends in Taiwan and today we call on 
the President to ensure that that relationship stays as strong as ever. 
This House supports protecting the freedom of the Taiwanese people. 
Today, Taiwan is proof that a nation can successfully move from one-
party rule to democracy and maintain its dynamic economy. I am hopeful 
that Chinese citizens can one day experience the same liberty as their 
counterparts in Taiwan.

                          ____________________